Pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly provides at least one bag removably connected to a vehicle having a frame. The at least one bag is configured to adjust a height of the frame. An air supply line has a supply end and a discharge end. The discharge end is in fluid communication with each of the at least one bag. The air supply is configured to provide air to inflate the at least one bag. A switch is in fluid communication with the supply end of the air supply line. The switch has a first discharge, a second discharge, and a switch input. A leveling valve is in fluid communication with the first discharge. The air supply line is in fluid communication with the second discharge. An air supply is in fluid communication with the leveling valve and the switch input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/328,388, filed on Apr. 7, 2022, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a pneumatic height adjuster assembly to adjustthe height of a truck chassis or other part of a vehicle to alter thetruck's or vehicle's appearance.

Description of the Related Art

It is known to add pneumatic systems to vehicles and vehicle cabs toraise the chassis above the frame of the vehicle.

It would be beneficial to provide a pneumatic height adjuster that caninflate air bags a first amount to lift a truck chassis a desired heightand also to over-inflate the air bags to lift the truck chassis abovethe desired height, such as for off-road travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly. The assembly provides at least one bagremovably connected to a vehicle having a frame. The at least one bag isconfigured to adjust a height of the frame. An air supply line has asupply end and a discharge end. The discharge end is in fluidcommunication with each of the at least one bag. The air supply isconfigured to provide air to inflate the at least one bag. A switch isin fluid communication with the supply end of the air supply line. Theswitch has a first discharge, a second discharge, and a switch input. Aleveling valve is in fluid communication with the first discharge. Theair supply line is in fluid communication with the second discharge. Anair supply is in fluid communication with the leveling valve and theswitch input.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly comprising an air supply and a switch in fluidcommunication with the air supply. The switch has an air input, a firstdischarge port, and a second discharge port. A pilot valve has an inputin fluid communication with the first discharge port, a first output,and a second output. A leveling valve is in fluid communication with thefirst output and an airbag is in fluid communication with the secondoutput.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description given below, serve to explainthe features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a pneumatic automotive height adjusterassembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 1C is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with thebags in a deflated condition;

FIG. 1D is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with thebags in an inflated condition;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 , showingthe mechanical arm on the leveling valve;

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of parts of the assembly, showingthe shims; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a pneumatic control system for theassembly of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includesthe words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words ofsimilar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principleof the invention and its application and practical use and to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarilymutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term“implementation.”

As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use ofthe word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concretefashion.

Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as usedin this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and rangeshould be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or“approximately” preceded the value of the value or range.

The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claimsis intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimedsubject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims.Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope ofthose claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures.

The present invention is a pneumatic automotive height adjuster assemblythat can be used to adjust the height of a truck chassis or other partof a vehicle. The height can be adjusted to alter the truck'sappearance.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D and 2 , a pneumatic automotive height adjusterassembly (“assembly 100”) according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. Two each of assembly 100 are used for eachvehicle; one on each side and mirror images of each other. For sake ofsimplicity, only one assembly 100 will be discussed. Assembly 100 ismounted on a leaf spring 52 of vehicle 50 and engages a frame 54 of acab on a vehicle 50 to lift frame 54 relative to leaf spring 52.

FIG. 2A, shows individual components of system 100 that are describedbelow. Assembly 100 uses bags 110 that are alternately inflated anddeflated to raise or lower the frame 54. In an exemplary embodiment, twobags 110 are used. Alternatively, for larger vehicles or heavy haulers,three bags 110 can be used. The use of multiple bags 110 on each side ofvehicle 50 provides the option to turn off the air supply to one of thebags 110 for safety reasons. A lower than maximum bag pressure in bags110 allows for a softer ride with a custom height adaptable usingoptional shims 136 (shown in FIG. 2A), as will be discussed below.

In an exemplary embodiment, bags can be about 7″ diameter, with acollapsible height of about 3.2″. A bump stop (not shown) is built intoeach bag 110 to stop deflation to reduce wear on bags 110. When fullyinflated, bags 110 have a height of about 12.25 inches, resulting in amaximum travel of about 9 inches. Each bag 110 has a smaller bottombellow than a top bellow, allowing the vehicle 50 to be lowered to sitat a lower ride height.

A bottom of each bag 110 includes a lower bolt (not shown) extendingtherefrom for insertion into lower bag plates 111, 113. Plate 111supports a rear bag 110 and plate 113 supports a forward bag 110. In anexemplary embodiment, plate 113 is offset relative to plate 111. Theoffset is about ¾ inch. The offset is required to allow for installationof assembly 100 to provide clearance for engine components without anymodification to work on trucks with 32.5″ or 34″ axle spring center pinlocations.

Plates 111, 113 are each mounted on a main base plate 117 that ismounted on leaf spring 52. Plate 111 has a generally circular profile,while plate 113 has a generally rectangular profile. The rectangularprofile allows plate 113 to sit on leaf spring 52 over an axle 56 ofvehicle 50. Lower bag plates 111, 113 and base plate 117 provide a flatsurface to allow air bags 110 to sit lower/straighter at lower rideheight with less oblique angle.

A ¾″ shock stud 121 is integrated into main base plate 117 and providesfor the connection of a lower end 122 of a straight shock absorber 124.Shock absorber 124 is mounted in a vertical position, with a top end 126of shock absorber 124 fixed to frame 54 via bolt 130.

A steel top plate 118 is located on the top of each bag 110. Plate 118engages the bottom of frame 54 to raise or lower frame 54. An offsethollow stud 109 extends upwardly from bag 110 and extends through topplate 118 to provide an air connection to bag 110. Top plate 109includes an upwardly extending flange 119 that bolt onto frame 54.

Optionally, a bag spacer 134 can be provided between top plate 118 andbags 110 to reach a desired ride height without having to change the airpressure inside bags 110. Bag spacer 134 can be 1″, 1½″, or 2″,depending on the model of vehicle 50 on which assembly 100 is beingmounted. If bag spacer 134 is used, a shock absorber, longer than shockabsorber 124, is used.

Shim 136 can be provided between leaf spring 52 and axle 56 to setcaster and camber (as opposed to using air pressure) in bags 110, whichallows vehicle 50 to have a set ride height (lower or higher). The useof caster shims 136 gives vehicle 50 a tighter feel and better steering,which results in a much better handling, safer, and easier to drivepiece of equipment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , operation of assembly 100 is controlled by aleveling valve 142 and operated by a pilot valve 146 that are controlledby an air switch 150 located in the cab of vehicle 50. Pilot valve 146has an inlet 146 a that tees to left and right valves 1461, 146 r forthe left side and right side of vehicle 50, respectively.

Air switch 150 is a three-position switch that allows the vehicle 50 tobe raised and lowered in three different conditions (dump, ride (port“I” in FIG. 3 ), over inflate (port “H” in FIG. 3 )) by adjustable rodsforming a mechanical arm 154 from leveling valves 142 to main base plate117 on frame 54 behind the shock absorber 124. In an exemplaryembodiment, leveling valve 142 is model no. VS227, manufactured byHendrickson and pilot valve 146 is model no. 90554615, manufactured byHaldex. The leveling valve 142 sits between shock absorber 124 and frame54 to allow for additional clearance and safety from components ofassembly 100 being hit, bent, or otherwise damaged.

Referring to FIG. 1D, leveling valve 142 is supported by a levelingvalve bracket 143 that mounts to a flange 119 on top plate 118. The airswitch 150 signals control to the pilot valve 146 to add or subtract airpressure to bags 110 to inflate or deflate bags 110, respectively. Whenair is added to bags 110, mechanical arm 154 on leveling valve 142 ismoved from the position in FIG. 1C to a neutral position in FIG. 1D toclose air supply to the bags 110 to maintain a level ride height forvehicle 50.

A pneumatic supply 60, shown schematically in FIG. 3 , providescompressed air for distribution to bags 110. Stainless braided lines160, 162, 164, 166, shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, are used for the airsystem, along with ¼″ NPT steel fittings (collectively 170) to provide asturdy air system. An air line bracket 168 is mounted to frame 54 andsupports fittings 170 that connect to air lines 162, 164, 166.

Air from pneumatic supply 60 flows through line 164 to leveling valve142 to provide air to leveling valve 142. Prior to leveling valve 142,air from pneumatic supply tees off to pilot valve 146 to valve 146 a.Air flows to leveling valve 142 through line 164 from valve 146 r(assuming the right side of vehicle 50) on pilot valve 146 and fromvalve 146 r to bags 110. Switch 150 operates pilot valve 146 to inflatebags 110, deflate bags 110, or override leveling valve 142 toover-inflate bags 110 for off-road use.

Assembly 100 can be offered as an add-on kit to enhance a ride byachieving a lower ride height. Assembly 100 can also be provided forself-installation as all clearance issues with different makes/models ofvehicles have been worked around with the inventive design (not shown)to operate switch 150 to over-inflate bags 110 to override levelingvalve 142 to provide off-road use clearance.

It will be further understood that various changes in the details,materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described andillustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pneumatic automotive height adjuster assemblycomprising: at least one bag removably connected to a vehicle having aframe, the at least one bag configured to adjust a height of the frame;an air supply line having a supply end and a discharge end, thedischarge end being in fluid communication with each of the at least onebag, the air supply line configured to provide air to inflate the atleast one bag; a valve assembly configured to selectively admit air toor release air from the at least one bag; and an air supply in fluidcommunication with the valve assembly.
 2. The pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valveassembly comprises an air switch in fluid communication with the airsupply.
 3. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly accordingto claim 2, wherein the air switch has three positions: overinflate,ride, and dump.
 4. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein the valve assembly further comprises apilot valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the rideposition.
 5. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly accordingto claim 4, further comprising a leveling valve in fluid communicationwith the pilot valve.
 6. The pneumatic automotive height adjusterassembly according to claim 5, wherein the leveling valve is in fluidcommunication with the sir supply.
 7. The pneumatic automotive heightadjuster assembly according to claim 5, wherein, when the air switch isin the overinflate position, the leveling valve is overridden tooverinflate the at least one air bag.
 8. The assembly according to claim4, wherein the pilot valve comprises an exhaust port.
 9. The pneumaticautomotive height adjuster assembly according to claim 1, wherein thevalve assembly comprises a leveling valve in fluid communication withthe air supply.
 10. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assemblyaccording to claim 9, further comprising an airbag plate provided underthe at least one bag.
 11. The pneumatic automotive height adjusterassembly according to claim 10, wherein the leveling valve comprises aleveling arm having a first end connected to the leveling valve and asecond end connected to the airbag plate.
 12. The pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly isconfigured to adjust a height of a vehicle frame relative to a vehiclespring.
 13. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly accordingto claim 12, wherein a bottom portion of the at least one bag isconfigured to be mounted on the spring.
 14. The pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly according to claim 12, wherein a top portion ofthe at least one bag is configured to be attached to the frame.
 15. Apneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly comprising: an air supply;a switch in fluid communication with the air supply a pilot valve havingan input in fluid communication with the switch; a leveling valve influid communication with the pilot valve; and an airbag in fluidcommunication with the pilot valve.
 16. The pneumatic automotive heightadjuster assembly according to claim 15, wherein the air supply is indirect fluid communication with the leveling valve.
 17. The pneumaticautomotive height adjuster assembly according to claim 15, wherein theairbag comprises a plurality of airbags.
 18. The pneumatic automotiveheight adjuster assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pilot valvecomprises a left side port and a right side port, wherein the left sideport is in fluid communication with the airbag and wherein the rightside port is in fluid communication with another airbag.
 19. Thepneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly according to claim 15,wherein the air switch has three positions: overinflate, ride, and dump.20. The pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly according to claim15, wherein the leveling valve is in fluid communication with the pilotvalve and with the air supply.